No Bubble Nest?

BettaBoysGirl said:

I have a male, who is named Mr Grumpy Gills, because he has a bad atttitude it seems. Anyhow, Ive had him for nearly 2 months... and in that time... Has never built a bubble nest. His water Parameters are fine, every is zero across the board. Ill admit i didnt know what cycling was till i got him. He lives in a 4 gallon BiOrb. Not heavily planted, but provides enough coverage. Even has one of thos little Betta Leaf Beds (loves sitting up there.) There are two plastic plants, and one live one, and a rock over the bubble tube. Intially I thought it was hte bubble tube (its a UGF so a necessary) So i turned down the pressure on the air coming out so it trickles about 3 bubbles every 5 seconds or so. Hes very active! Loves to flare at his reaction or swim around his tank , almost like hes trying out for hte olympics. That worried me because orginally i thought something was seriously wonrg. But after 2 months, with no illness (just a damaged fin issue, not fin rot), i figure this is just part of his normal behavior. But again, no bubble nests. For the Past week, ive had Nixie (my female CT) in her tank, sitting next to him, to see if that would entice him... He flares at her, and she being a bossy thing either ignores him or flares back. So... Any clues? I've read some males never build them, so im wondering if hes just one. I didnt try a styrofoam cup, but did try a floating fake flower. If its possible the UGFis the issue, in 2-4 weeks he will be rehomed into a 20 gallon divide aquarium (which is currently cycling.) So ideas?

Click to expand...

Chard56 said:

BettaBoysGirl said:

I have a male, who is named Mr Grumpy Gills, because he has a bad atttitude it seems. Anyhow, Ive had him for nearly 2 months... and in that time... Has never built a bubble nest. His water Parameters are fine, every is zero across the board. Ill admit i didnt know what cycling was till i got him. He lives in a 4 gallon BiOrb. Not heavily planted, but provides enough coverage. Even has one of thos little Betta Leaf Beds (loves sitting up there.) There are two plastic plants, and one live one, and a rock over the bubble tube. Intially I thought it was hte bubble tube (its a UGF so a necessary) So i turned down the pressure on the air coming out so it trickles about 3 bubbles every 5 seconds or so. Hes very active! Loves to flare at his reaction or swim around his tank , almost like hes trying out for hte olympics. That worried me because orginally i thought something was seriously wonrg. But after 2 months, with no illness (just a damaged fin issue, not fin rot), i figure this is just part of his normal behavior. But again, no bubble nests. For the Past week, ive had Nixie (my female CT) in her tank, sitting next to him, to see if that would entice him... He flares at her, and she being a bossy thing either ignores him or flares back. So... Any clues? I've read some males never build them, so im wondering if hes just one. I didnt try a styrofoam cup, but did try a floating fake flower. If its possible the UGFis the issue, in 2-4 weeks he will be rehomed into a 20 gallon divide aquarium (which is currently cycling.) So ideas?

Click to expand...

If you have the lid off the cup he came in or a small yogurt cup lid you can float that in his tank. I will tape a 3x3 inch mirror in front of the cup for some to entice them into making bubbles. If you can raise the temperature to 82 to 84 degrees it will help. You can see in the picture how it works.View attachment 59772

Click to expand...